Podcast: Metal Vortex

Host: Grant “The Grinder” Thompson
Guests: Ryder Mason and Vera Carter

Introduction

• Grant: “Welcome to Metal Vortex, the podcast where we dive deep into the heaviest, loudest, and most epic sounds in metal. Today, we’ve got two legends in the virtual studio with us: Ryder Mason and Vera Carter from the Ghost Riff Riders. They’re here to talk about their latest album, Destruction of Metal Hearts, which is already being hailed as their best work to date. Ryder, Vera—welcome to the show.”

Q1: The Big Question

• Grant: “So Ryder, let’s get this out of the way first—um, you died? Or was that a publicity stunt? I mean, the news was wild, with stories, interviews, and then the deaths of the Sirens group leaders after they escaped from prison. What’s the real story here?”
• Ryder: “Well, no—I’m not dead… but it’s complicated. Officially, I’m not alive either. I know, it sounds crazy.”
• Grant: “You’re looking very well for someone who’s been buried.”
• Ryder: “Thanks, I feel good today. Lots of work renovating the old hotel. But yeah, the truth is, Ryder Mason is not among the living, and no, it was not a stunt.”
• Grant: “So, are you going to stay unofficially dead or alive—or whichever?”
• Ryder: “For the moment, yes. It sounds complicated because it is, but I’ll be sticking around.”

Q2: Marriage and the Ghost Riff Riders Novelization

• Grant: “Let’s talk about some other news—like you and Luna, your widow, or should I say, your wife? Getting married? Congratulations, but that’s a wild story in itself.”
• Ryder: “Yeah, thanks. Officially, I’m off the market. We kind of got forced into the marriage—oh, you might have to just read up on it to know how that happened.”
• Grant: “And by ‘read up on it,’ you mean the novelization of your lives, Ghost Riff Riders on Amazon for $2.99 or free on Kindle, right?”
• Ryder: “Exactly, subtle plug—no one will notice that.”
• Grant: “And Vera—how are you and the new Mr. Vera doing?”
• Vera: “Oh, Sam’s not going to want to be called ‘Mr. Vera,’ but I may just have to call him that a few times to see how he reacts. We’re doing well—Sam’s super busy with the hotel sound studio we’re working on.”
• Grant: “This is at the Riffuge, right?”
• Vera: “Yep, that’s the unofficial name for the hotel project.”
• Grant: “Can’t wait to see how that turns out.”

Q3: Discussing the New Album – Destruction of Metal Hearts

• Grant: “Now, let’s dive into the music—Destruction of Metal Hearts—what an album. The cover art is intense, and the animation in the YouTube video was killer. I’m hearing some influences from classic metal, maybe a bit of doom metal too?”
• Vera: “Oh, for sure. You can’t make metal without bowing to the greats and giving credit where it’s due. There’s definitely some industrial and groove metal in there as well. We wanted to create something with layers, something that would hit fans of different styles.”
• Grant: “And you’re both selling the album AND giving it away?”
• Ryder: “Absolutely. We want fans to have access to our music, so it’s on YouTube, and if they buy the book, they get access to it too. If they want to support us, they can buy it on Bandcamp.”
• Grant: “So, YouTube and Bandcamp—where else can fans get the album?”
• Vera: “Soon on Spotify and iTunes. We decided to push it out more to ensure everyone who wants to listen can find it.”

Q4: Vera’s Dragons and Ryder’s Lavender Fields

• Grant: “Vera—important question—any more red dragons? We’ve seen rumors and some video clips.”
• Vera: “Haha, no, all special effects, I’m sure of it.”
• Grant: “Sure, sure. And Ryder—what’s this about you and Luna turning a couple of miles of Nevada into something… unusual? I read some chatter on the forums.”
• Ryder: “Officially, the song is called ‘Ground Zero Texas Plains.’”
• Grant: “Of course, and now that area is covered in lavender bushes, right?”
• Ryder: “That’s the word on the street.”

Q5: Nikki Hart’s Departure

• Grant: “Lastly, let’s talk about Nikki Hart leaving the band. I understand it’s all good, no hard feelings?”
• Vera: “Oh, there are plenty of hard feelings, but we can’t blame her for wanting a normal life and just focusing on music without all the ‘other stuff.’ But we’re concerned that might not be possible for her, given the association she had with us.”
• Grant: “No plans to replace her?”
• Ryder: “Not at this time. The last album she worked on was Destruction of Metal Hearts, but it left Cryptids incomplete, unfortunately. She helped us get this album out, but we knew her time with us was limited after that.”

Conclusion

• Grant: “Well, this has been one hell of an interview. Ryder, Vera, thank you both for joining us today. Everyone listening, make sure to check out Destruction of Metal Hearts—whether you buy it or stream it, just get it in your ears. And don’t forget to pick up the Ghost Riff Riders novelization on Amazon. Any final words from either of you?”
• Ryder: “Thanks for having us, Grant. Keep the metal alive.”
• Vera: “Yeah, thanks. And hey, maybe keep an eye out for those dragons… or not.”
• Grant: “You heard it here, folks. Thanks for tuning in to Metal Vortex—until next time, keep those horns up!”

End of Interview